Chapter 5
None of us was allowed near the infirmary during the next days, but I heard all the rumors that
came out of it. Eventually a fact emerged; it was one of his legs, which had been “shattered.” I
couldn’t figure out exactly what this word meant, whether it meant broken in one or several
places, cleanly or badly, and I didn’t ask. I learned no more, although the subject was discussed
endlessly. Out of my hearing people must have talked of other things, but everyone talked about
Phineas to